Disappointing Teleportation Magic ~ Even Though The Movement Distance Is Only 1 Millimeter, I Will Rise Through Ingenuity ~ - Chapter 62.1

“Oh, this is amazing…”

“That’s the Abanico flower.”

After arriving at the inn for the first night, Araseli and I went down to the garden, where pale purple flowers were in full bloom. They bloom from late summer to autumn, and they look very similar to Japan’s balloon flowers.

The garden was filled with a refreshing scent, more invigorating than sweet. A carpenter bee, drawn by the fragrance, flitted from flower to flower, collecting nectar.

“Sigh, it’s so peaceful… Are we really fighting a war with Fulmelinta?”

“We’ve just left the royal capital, so there’s hardly any sign of war around here.”

“Will things change as we get closer to Eberwein’s territory?”

“Most likely…”

If caught up in the war and unable to escape in time, residents are taken as slaves. Those unable to fight reportedly flee with whatever they can to the neighboring territories. The poorer people, with fewer possessions, can escape more easily, carrying their belongings on their backs. But for those who have more, it’s a different story.

There’s a limit to what they can carry, and while it’s not like the chaos of looting, some thieves take advantage of the war’s disorder. In many cases, the invading army also takes whatever valuables they can find. Still, if one delays their escape, they risk being taken as slaves, making it difficult to decide when to flee.

On top of that, it seems that in Yurefelt, unlike Japan, residents don’t have the freedom to move. For example, even if someone from Eberwein wanted to move and work in the neighboring Zarettino territory, they couldn’t do so without their lord’s permission.

Even in times of war, they can escape to a neighboring territory, but if the enemy doesn’t invade that land, they cannot move to a different region. Once the war ends, they are required to return to their original land.

Residents are also subject to a head tax, and if they can’t pay it, they fall into debt slavery. Even if they can pay the tax, they’re still treated as the lord’s property and not granted the freedom to move.

“So, we won’t see any visible signs of the war until we enter Zarettino territory?”

“That’s probably the case.”

“But soldiers are already heading to the battlefield from other regions, right?”

“Houses that received a call to arms from the royal family are sending their soldiers, but since it’s harvest season in all territories, I doubt they’re conducting full-scale conscriptions.”

While Yurefelt has its own professional soldiers, during larger conflicts, even the residents take up arms and fight. In this war, every healthy male over the age of fifteen from territories neighboring Eberwein’s lands is reportedly being conscripted.

Other territories that have been called to arms seem to be sending only their professional soldiers. If they were to conscript the general population, there wouldn’t be enough labor for the harvest.

If the crops aren’t harvested, it would affect tax revenue and, more importantly, the food supply for the residents. The rush to negotiate peace with Fulmelinta, even at the cost of offering me up, likely stems from these concerns as well.

“I see. If they can negotiate peace now, they can avoid reducing the grain yield.”

“If they can’t harvest what they’ve worked hard to grow, it will all be for nothing. Besides, it seems that all territories are having a bountiful harvest this year.”

“Do you think Eberwein’s crops can be recovered?”

“No, that’s probably impossible.”

When a war breaks out around this time of year, it seems that the invading army harvests the crops before withdrawing. Anything ready for harvest is taken, and even what isn’t is often reaped to deal economic damage to the enemy.

“That’s awful. So, the people who fled from Eberwein have basically lost a year’s worth of income.”

“During war, taxes are generally waived, and a normal lord would lend food for the winter and seeds for the next year.”

“But Eberwein is currently without a lord, right?”

“Yes, it’s either going to become directly managed by the royal family, have a new lord appointed, or be divided among neighboring lords.”

“I hope the people receive proper support.”

“If not, they’ll face starvation by winter.”

It’s hard to imagine starvation in modern Japan, but here in this world, there was a year about fifteen years ago with an unusually cold summer that caused mass starvation, not only in the Kingdom of Yurefelt but also in neighboring countries. During that time, Araseli’s parents lost their lives, leaving her an orphan. She was later taken in by a shadowy organization within the country.

“This time, it’s just Eberwein’s territory. As long as they get support, they shouldn’t face starvation.”

“I hope so.”

I’m concerned about what will happen after peace is established, but providing support isn’t my responsibility. However, if people do starve, it will only worsen the already strained relations with Fulmelinta.

I probably won’t be able to return to the Kingdom of Yurefelt, but for the sake of eventually welcoming Umino and the others, I want the relations between the two countries to improve. I hope Alberic, unreliable as he may be, can manage somehow.

As Othello had mentioned, the dinner table was laden with lamb dishes. In Japan, I had only eaten lamb once when I traveled to Hokkaido and tried Genghis Khan, leaving me with the impression that it was slightly gamey.

But the inn’s lamb dishes were seasoned with skillful use of spices, removing any unpleasant odor and bringing out the meat’s natural flavor. The dishes, from sausages to stews and slow-roasted ribs, all showcased thoughtful seasoning.

“The overall seasoning is quite sweet, isn’t it?”

“Sweeteners like sugar are expensive, so dishes with a strong sweetness are considered luxurious.”